Kozuka with a Fan, Medicine Box, Tabacco Pouch, and Netsuke

Description This kozuka is surrounded with a raised rim and the background. Inside this frame are objects typically carried by men during the Edo period. At the right is a fan made of tortoise shell and ivory. Next to that in a medicine box ("inro"), which was used to carry other small objects in addition medicine. Beside the medicine box is a tobacco pouch. Both of these objects are attached to a gourd shaped netsuke made of coral. The netsuke served as a counterweight to attach the medicine box and the tobacco pouch to the belt of a kimono. The kozuka is signed on the back.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Signature] 自得斎　寛甫; [Translation] Jitokusai Kanpo (?)

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters